Copper Zinc Tap Water Fuel Cell

[b_rads]

@the_big_m_in_ok
@jeanna
I like the electrical conduit idea and gave it a try last night.  I was pleasantly surprised at the short term results.  3 cells exceed the output of 6 cells using galvanized steel wire.  The idea of an easily replaced anode in this setup is exciting.  It will be fun to watch these cells and see how they perform.  Conduit and I are going to become good friends this winter.  Thanks for the suggestion.

[the_big_m_in_ok]

I am just not much of a fan of plain iron to copper galvanic difference. It amounts to about 0.3v so I look for something else.

jeanna

Yeah, that's a point.  However, iron and copper are very, very cheap.  They're everywhere.

Aluminum and stainless steel(wire in both cases) are less common to come by, but should perform better by the chart above.

--Lee

[the_big_m_in_ok]

@the_big_m_in_ok
@jeanna
I like the electrical conduit idea and gave it a try last night. ...

Yes, I see the photo; very good.  What were you using with the galvanized wire?  It looks like copper in the picture.

... The idea of an easily replaced anode in this setup is exciting.  It will be fun to watch these cells and see how they perform. ...

My steel/copper cells held an initial charge with no load for weeks.  You might use that as a guide from my experience.

... Conduit and I are going to become good friends this winter.  Thanks for the suggestion.

Yep, hardware stores have conduit in industry standard lengths and diameters in greater quantities than anyone but an electrical contractor can afford.  Still, hundreds might be needed to obtain a large amount of power.

--Lee

[b_rads]

@the_big_m_in_ok
Each cell used a 4 1/2” x 1/2” galvanized steel triple coated conduit; 4’ of 14g copper wire and bottled drinking water.
Based on my previous build â€" my hope is this configuration will run for several months.
My local home improvement store has this conduit in 10’ length for $1.89.  This works out to .07 cents per cell.  I think at this price it qualifies as a sacrificial anode (lol).  Yes, you are correct that this will not generate a lot of power.  My hope is to use this as a power source to learn and build a good joule thief.  That thread is so huge, so much to learn.
Brad S

[the_big_m_in_ok]

@the_big_m_in_ok
Each cell used a 4 1/2” x 1/2” galvanized steel triple coated conduit; 4’ of 14g copper wire and bottled drinking water.  Based on my previous build â€" my hope is this configuration will run for several months. ...

I haven't had the money or floor space to devote to this low voltage experimentation.  I'm also moving to a permanent, higher-priced room in Oct. that's the same size as the one I have now.  Things might look up eventually for my doing more in this area.

... My local home improvement store has this conduit in 10’ length for $1.89.  This works out to .07 cents per cell.  I think at this price it qualifies as a sacrificial anode (lol). ...

The only cost for mine was the copper wire if I had none to start with.  Sometime I found it on the street as scrap garbage or co-ax at a recycling center.

...Yes, you are correct that this will not generate a lot of power.  My hope is to use this as a power source to learn and build a good joule thief.  That thread is so huge, so much to learn. ...

You have you work cut out for you.  It is a lengthy thread, to say the least.  I try and encourage newcomers to try different things; and I'll try to do more in the future myself.

--Lee